Rainy forecast prompts drawdown of 2 Ark. lakes

Entergy's Ted Smethers says crews plan to lower Lake Hamilton by 6 inches and Lake Catherine by a foot. The National Weather Service is predicting 2 to 4 inches of rain over the next two days in many parts of the state.

Entergy Arkansas is lowering the water levels of lakes Hamilton and Catherine in anticipation of heavy rain over the next few days.

Entergy's Ted Smethers says crews plan to lower Lake Hamilton by 6 inches and Lake Catherine by a foot. The National Weather Service is predicting 2 to 4 inches of rain over the next two days in many parts of the state.

Smethers tells the Sentinel-Record (http://bit.ly/TKJ3Hz ) that Garland County is prone to flash floods because of its steep, rocky terrain. He says there's faster runoff this time of year because the ground doesn't absorb as much moisture.

The lakes near Hot Springs are formed by dams that Entergy built more than 60 years ago for hydroelectric generation.